I started 2025 with one rule: “Only if it's a hell yes.” I ended it as the co-founder of an AI company. I didn’t see it coming!

This episode is a little nerve-wracking to share, but it’s the real, unfiltered story of my wild ride through 2025. I ditched the 12-month goals, the rigid launch calendars, and all the “shoulds” I’d been forcing for years. As an Enneagram 8 who loves control, this was… uncomfortable.

Instead, I followed alignment, curiosity and relationships. The result? A year that was messy, non-linear and more transformative than any I could have meticulously planned. I went from feeling fed up and stuck to building something entirely new that feels more aligned than anything I’ve ever done.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the five biggest themes that shaped my year—from micro-experiments that actually worked to the scary-as-hell identity shift I'm still navigating. This isn't a highlight reel; it's a roadmap for your own reflection.

What's in this episode for you:

• The "Hell Yes" Compass: How I ditched control and used alignment to guide every decision, even when it led to some big, scary “no’s.”
• Micro-Experiments > Master Plans: The power of small, curious tests—including the $1 workshop that sold 135 spots and taking the entire summer off social media.
• Relationship-Led Visibility: Why deepening connections and collaborating in shared rooms will always beat chasing followers or sending cold pitches.
• When the Universe Screams, Listen: How I recognized the repeating patterns that pointed toward partnership and finally stopped trying to do everything alone.
• Becoming Before You Declare: The vulnerable truth about the lag between your growth and your identity, and why it’s so damn hard to publicly claim the next version of yourself (I’m right there with you!).

Ready for your own reflection?

If your year felt non-linear, you’re not behind. Ask yourself this: **What did this year teach me about how I want to move forward?**

To help you get started, here are the 5 journaling prompts from the episode. Grab your journal (or your favorite AI tool) and give yourself the space to explore what your year taught you.

1.  Where did I choose alignment over expectation this year?

2.  What did I try this year that gave me clarity (even if it wasn't a huge win)?

3.  Which relationships quietly opened doors for me this year?

4.  What keeps showing up in my business that I might be meant to approach differently (and not abandon)?

5.  What version of myself am I already living, but not fully claiming yet?

Here's to a 2026 that's led by you, not your to-do list. Happy New Year

>>Your Next Steps:

🤖Train AI to sound like you (in under 2 hours) with BrandCalibrator™  

🔹 Done for you visibility plan by Valerie the Visibility Auditor

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🔹 Connect on Instagram

>>Thanks for Listening!

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